1. Cody Bellinger (OF/1B)
Cody Bellinger is the most obvious “almost-signed” player, representing a ghost of a successful past the Cubs were unable to secure for the long term.
| Status | Details | Why the Cubs Almost Got Him |
| Current Status | Free Agent (after opting out of the final year of his deal with the Yankees). | The Cubs signed him to a one-year, opt-out deal in 2024 and helped him resurrect his career, winning NL Comeback Player of the Year. |
| The Near-Miss | After his successful 2024 season, the Cubs were believed to be the frontrunners to re-sign him. He ultimately went to the Yankees on another short-term deal. | They failed to finalize the long-term deal his agent (Scott Boras) was seeking, letting him walk despite a mutual desire for a reunion. |
| 2026 Rumor | Though the Yankees are the favorites, the Cubs are still vaguely linked as a team that could swoop in, especially if they lose out on other offensive targets. | Bringing him back would be a massive PR win and immediately upgrade the defense and offense. |
Bellinger represents the team’s greatest success story of the last two years, but his failure to sign a long-term deal with the Cubs continues to symbolize the front office’s aversion to massive free-agent contracts.
2. Kyle Schwarber (DH/OF)
Kyle Schwarber is the fan-favorite power hitter who represents the type of raw, prodigious slugger the Cubs’ current lineup desperately lacks.
| Status | Details | Why the Cubs Almost Got Him |
| Current Status | Free Agent (after opting out of his deal with the Phillies). | Schwarber’s power is exactly what the Cubs need. He is coming off a monster 56-HR season in 2025. |
| The Near-Miss | The Cubs were heavily rumored to be in the mix to sign Schwarber last winter before he re-signed with the Phillies for five years. | The Cubs declined to match the Phillies’ offer, prioritizing the development of younger players, a decision that led to severe power struggles in the lineup. |
| 2026 Rumor | He is the perfect DH/First Base solution. Though he is expected to return to the Phillies, the Cubs are reportedly the NL Central rival most likely to make a surprise, massive offer. | Signing the former World Series hero would inject instant nostalgia, power, and clubhouse energy back into Wrigley Field. |
Schwarber is the pure, unadulterated power the Cubs have lacked since 2020. His potential return symbolizes the Cubs finally committing to offense over development.
